Upcoming Events in Houston
Patti LuPone Mar 21 | 7:30 PM | Thursday
at Sarofim Hall - Hobby Center Mariah The Scientist Mar 22 | 7:00 PM | Friday
at House Of Blues - Houston Home Opener: Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees Mar 28 | 3:10 PM | Thursday
at Minute Maid Park Houston Symphony: Steven Reineke - 21st Century Broadway Apr 6 | 8:00 PM | Saturday
at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts The Princess Bride - An Inconceivable Evening With Cary Elwes Apr 11 | 7:30 PM | Thursday
at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts Jane Eyre - Play Apr 12 | 8:00 PM | Friday
at Hubbard Stage - Alley Theatre Brincos Dieras Apr 13 | 8:30 PM | Saturday
at Houston Arena Theatre
at Sarofim Hall - Hobby Center Mariah The Scientist Mar 22 | 7:00 PM | Friday
at House Of Blues - Houston Home Opener: Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees Mar 28 | 3:10 PM | Thursday
at Minute Maid Park Houston Symphony: Steven Reineke - 21st Century Broadway Apr 6 | 8:00 PM | Saturday
at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts The Princess Bride - An Inconceivable Evening With Cary Elwes Apr 11 | 7:30 PM | Thursday
at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts Jane Eyre - Play Apr 12 | 8:00 PM | Friday
at Hubbard Stage - Alley Theatre Brincos Dieras Apr 13 | 8:30 PM | Saturday
at Houston Arena Theatre
Food Delivery / Carryout
Houston Astros has new update
3 hours ago Astros Crawfish Boil: March 19, 2024
3 hours ago Astros Crawfish Boil: March 19, 2024
Brice Matthews | Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Snell watch is over. Houston Astros News
With Urquidy sidelined, here’s the Astros’ potential starting rotation
Houston Astros infielder Grae Kessinger strains hamstring (Houston Chronicle)
How latest reports abruptly shift Houston Astros rotation x-factors (SportsMap Houston)
Budweiser has limited edition Houston Astros cans, 15 other teams (KHOU)
As Astros’ rotation depth dwindles, Hunter Brown has ‘to take a step forward’ (The Athletic)
Astros 2024: Revisiting “THE QUESTION”
AL West News
A’s: Report shows how A’s plan to give back to Las Vegas community (KTNV)
M’s: Seattle Mariners name Luis Castillo as 2024 Opening Day starter (AOL)
Halos: The Los Angeles Angels’ Journey Toward a Brighter Future (Yardbarker)
Blarts: An MLB veteran’s take on the Rangers’ Langford-Carter phenomenon (Dallas News)
MLB News
Latest News
With Snell reportedly off the market, where will Montgomery end up?
Snell agrees to 2-year, $62M deal with Giants
Power Rankings: Who’s on top entering the season?tl;dr — Houston’s number six, behind Atlanta, the Dodgers, the Orioles the Phillies, and Texass.
2024 Positional Power Rankings: Catcher (FG) Astros are....14th???
Houston Astros Birthdays
IF Matt Downs (40)
IF José Castillo (1981-2018)
IF/CF Chuck Jackson (61)
IF Kobe Kato (25)
RHP Aaron Brown (25)
Houston Public Media has new update
8 hours ago Engines of Our Ingenuity 3016 Simpson’s Paradox
8 hours ago Engines of Our Ingenuity 3016 Simpson’s Paradox
Episode: 3016 Simpson’s Paradox. Today, paradoxical averages.
Houston Public Media has new update
15 hours ago President Joe Biden to visit Houston on Thursday
15 hours ago President Joe Biden to visit Houston on Thursday
The Democratic president, who is seeking re-election in November, has been traveling around the country campaigning since his State of the Union Address on March 7.
Houston Astros has new update
16 hours ago Astros Spring Training Week in Review.
16 hours ago Astros Spring Training Week in Review.
Houston Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido (83) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals | Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
How are things shaping up? The Astros’ record is 10-13 going into the second of Monday’s Spring Training games. They were 2-6 for the week, but the situation isn’t as bleak as that sounds.
First, the really bad news. Yet another pitcher is down. Jose Urquidy is out indefinitely with a forearm strain. That means, among potential Astros starters, Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, and now Urquidy will not be pitching when the season starts. This leaves a likely opening-day rotation of Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, and a not fully stretched J.P. France.
Since pitching is the main concern, let’s start today's review with the status of pitchers and their progress.
Pitching
There is some reason to be concerned about Framber Valdez. In eight total innings this week, he allowed five earned runs and ten hits. His ERA so far is 7.71 for the Spring.
There was mostly good news after the Urquidy and Valdez stories. J.P. France made his Spring debut, and although he gave up a home run in 2.2 IP, he struck out four and walked only one.
Hunter Brown made two appearances, pitching 8.2 innings with three earned runs and eight hits. His Spring ERA is 2.84. Cristian Javier and Ronel Blanco are looking good this Spring, both of whom made scoreless appearances. Javier’s Spring ERA is 1.80, and Blanco’s is a perfect 0.00 with a WHIP of 0.69. Keep in mind that Blanco has been a great-looking ST pitcher the last few seasons but has never been so dominant in the regular season.
There are two bright spots in the bullpen, with a number of pitchers competing for the last spot. Parker Mushinski and Seth Martinez both retain scoreless inning streaks this Spring, and lefty Bennett Sousa, after a slow start, had 2.1 scoreless innings this week, bringing his Spring ERA down to 4.26.
On the other hand, Rafael Montero continues to look like a trainwreck, with a 16.88 ERA, a 3.38 WHIP, and a .385 BAA. Possible fifth starter and ostensible long-reliever Brandon Beilak continues to throw batting practice with a 7.36 ERA so far.
And should we be concerned about Bryan Abreu? He has a 9.82 ERA this Spring with a 2.73 WHIP and .286 BAA. It’s only 3.2 IP, and in those innings, he has allowed six walks. Control has always been Abreu’s biggest issue, so hopefully, he will find the range before the season begins.
Hitting
The bats we care about the most seem to be rounding into form for Opening Day. Below are their hitting stats for the week and overall Spring BA and OPS (prior to Monday). Of particular note is the hot hitting of usually slow-starting Alex Bregman, Catcher Yainer Diaz's emergence from a deep slump, and prospect Joey Loperfido's continued other-worldly performance. Oh yeah, Mauricio Dubon stays hot. And former George Springer heir-apparent, Pedro Leon, is having a sneaky good Spring, too.
Jose Altuve..............4-12....233.....648
Alex Bregman..........7-14....324.....773
Kyle Tucker..............3-12....333....1.012
Chas McCormick....5-9.....400.....924
Jake Meyer..............4-10....310.....1.065
Mauricio Dubon......4-12....484....1.257
Yordan Alvarez.......4-13....345.....924
Jeremy Pena...........2-9......240.....656
Yainer Diaz.............4-11......206.....594
Joey Loperfido.......6-11.....423......1.175
Jon Singleton.........1-12.....207......467
Pedro Leon.............4-7......333......868
Jose Abreu.............2-3......233......1.068
One of the following three players has a chance to be the 26th man as the second utility infielder behind Mauricio Dubon: Shay Whitcomb, Grae Kessinger, or David Hensley. Their Spring averages are .231, .194, and .176, respectively.
Overall, the hitting seems to be rounding into shape for the season. However, pitching is a big concern, with injuries and uncertain performances from key pieces like Framber Valdez, Brandon Bielak, Rafael Montero, and Bryan Abreu. But there are still ten days to right the ship (including trades/signings).
Go Stros.
Tuesday Specials in Houston
Bar
4835 Calhoun Ste. A-1, Houston TX, 77004Long Island Tuesdays
$5 Long Island Teas (all flavors)
Karaoke starts at 9:30pm
$5 Long Island Teas (all flavors)
Karaoke starts at 9:30pm
Bar & Restaurant
2316 S Shepherd Dr, Houston TX, 77019"Moules Mariniere - $10
Sautéed mussels every Tuesday night for just $10!
Sautéed mussels every Tuesday night for just $10!